Congressional Approval Ratings Tie Record Low
The majority party may be celebrating in Denver this week, but the percentage of voters who give the Democratic-dominated Congress good or excellent ratings has once again fallen to single digits.
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August 27, 2008
August 27, 2008
Voters Trust McCain Over Obama On National Security 52% to 41%
National security is the issue of the day at the Democratic National Convention, but it wasn’t supposed to be this way. Democrats were planning on riding opposition to the highly unpopular war in Iraq right into the White House.
August 27, 2008
Just Over Half of Democrats Say Bill Clinton Likes Obama and Wants Him to Win
Bill Clinton is expected to talk about himself at the Democratic National Convention tonight and then leave town before Barack Obama’s acceptance speech. But just over half of Democrats believe there is no animosity between the two men and that the former president wants Obama to win.
August 27, 2008
The Senator By Susan Estrich
All last week there were rumors that he would not make it to Denver at all. Then on Monday there were rumors that he was in a Denver hospital receiving oxygen, and that at best he would be in a box at Pepsi Center, watching the tribute and waving to the crowd. He'll never make it to the podium, more than one person told me.
August 27, 2008
The Middle Convention and the Under Convention By Debra J. Saunders
DENVER -- There are two Democratic National Conventions here in Denver. The first one is the official convention, which has a sole purpose: to sell Barack Obama, not as a different kind of Democrat, but as a red-white-and blue everyman. Mr. Middle America.
August 27, 2008
Confidence in War on Terror and Iraq at Highest Level Ever
Voter confidence in the War on Terror is at the highest level ever recorded since Rasmussen Reports began regular tracking in January 2004. Fifty-four percent (54%) of American voters now think the United States and its allies are winning the war.
August 26, 2008
Now Playing: The Four Deficits By Debra J. Saunders
Monday morning, before the Democratic National Committee launched its convention at Denver's Pepsi Center, the documentary "I.O.U.S.A." -- think: "one nation, under stress, in debt" -- played to a small but committed audience at the nearby Starz Film Center.
August 26, 2008
Democrats Focus on Economy, but Voters Look to Both Parties for Answers
The focus Tuesday at the Democratic National Convention is on economic issues, but voters are evenly divided on which course is best in the current economic climate -- controlling inflation or promoting growth.
August 26, 2008
52% Say Legal Drinking Age Should Remain 21
Just over half of Americans (52%) believe the legal drinking age should stay at 21. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that only 31% think it should be lowered to 18.
August 26, 2008
47% of Democratic Women say Hillary Should be on the Ticket
Nearly half of Democratic women (47%) say Barack Obama should have chosen Hillary Clinton for his running mate instead of Senator Joseph Biden as the former First Lady prepares to speak tonight at the Democratic National Convention. Thirty-nine percent (39%) disagree.
August 26, 2008
Parties Afraid to Face Population Explosion By Froma Harrop
There's a burning concern in the American West -- almost an obsession -- that Democrats will not touch in their convention here. Nor will Republicans in St. Paul. It is the U.S. population explosion.
August 26, 2008
Obama, Clinton, Biden and McCain By Debra J. Saunders
DENVER -- The goodie bag given to attendees of the Democratic National Convention includes maps, magnets and Dale Carnegie's Golden Book. The first principle for Carnegie's "How to Win Friends and Influence People" is: "Don't criticize, condemn or complain." No. 2: "Give honest, sincere appreciation."
August 25, 2008
Powell Far More Likely than Obama to Beat McCain
It’s a good thing for Republicans that Colin Powell is still one of them.
August 25, 2008
Democrats Rank Carter and Gore as Favorites
Ask Democrats which of their leaders they like (other than Barack and Hillary, of course) as they gather for their national convention in Denver, and Jimmy Carter and Al Gore lead the pack.
August 25, 2008
Small Business Economic Confidence Increases for Second Consecutive Month
Small business owners' economic confidence rose for the second straight month in August, climbing away from a 22-month low in June as their concerns about the state of the overall economy improved.
August 25, 2008
39% See Michelle Obama as Very Liberal
The spotlight on the first night of the Democratic National Convention will be on Michelle Obama, who four out of 10 voters (39%) describe as Very Liberal.
August 24, 2008
'Safe' Pick for Ticket Leaves Women Scorned by Dick Morris
It doesn't take a political genius to realize that Barack Obama needed to nominate a woman for vice president.
August 24, 2008
Renewing America's Promise Means Lots of Goodies By Debra Saunders
Democrats used to love to bash President Bush for sending America to war without asking Americans to sacrifice. Now that it is an election year, you won't hear the s-word coming out of their lips.
August 24, 2008
39% Say Biden the Right Choice, Women Less Enthusiastic
On the day that Barack Obama announced Joe Biden as his running mate, 39% of voters said he made the right choice. A Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey found that 25% disagreed and another 35% are not sure.
August 23, 2008
The Chosen Obama Narrative By Michael Barone
Once upon a time, the two parties' national conventions chose presidential nominees. Now, they are television shows that try to establish a narrative -- one that links the long-since-determined nominee's life story with the ongoing history of the nation, one that shows how this one man is perfectly positioned to lead America to a better future. The hope is that the nominee will get a bounce in the polls.
